Political pragmatism

Social Security, progressive taxation, affordable health care, the constitutional basis for environmental and labor regulation, separation of church and state — these issues and more hang in the balance.

Under these circumstances, liberal Democrats ought to ask themselves a big question: are they better off as the dominant force in an ideologically pure minority party, or as one of several influences in an ideologically varied party that can win at the polls?

Perhaps environmentalists should ask themselves the same question. What do you think? Let me know in comments.